2020-03-21

Jamaat Ameer expresses concern over the price hike of the essentials; urges government to take effective measures

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has issued the following statement on 21 March 2020 expressing deep concern over the increasing panic and fear among the people and the subsequent price hike of the essential commodities as the impact of the coronavirus outbreak worldwide.

“In one hand, there are severe shortages of coronavirus test kits, while on the other, there are shortages of the essentials in the market, which have created a new crisis nationwide. Price of all essentials including rice and onions have increased once again.

According to the reports of some dailies, in the retain market, within days, the price of onion has increased 30/40 taka per kilogram and price of rice has also increased 8 -10 taka per kilogram. Price of some 15 other essentials have increased similarly. The quarters who increases price, during the period of crisis, are enemies to the people. It is not justified neither to hike price of the essentials nor to hoard products. Holy Prophet (pbuH) said, the traders who hoards and stocks products during crucial period, Almighty Allah bestows poverty upon them.” (Abu Daud:55) The Prophet (peace be upon Him) said, “the hoarders are cursed.” (Ibn Majah). Hoarders and excessive profit seekers, both are hatred enemies to the people.

While we are facing the severe pandemic of coronavirus, these dishonest traders are mocking with the people. If such situation continues, it would be tough to attain the blessings of the Almighty Allah. Allah imposes crisis and He is the one to provide its remedy. But to achieve such blessing, we have to honest from individual perspective. We must seek refuge and protection from Allah.

It is the duty and obligation of the government to curb the price hike of the commodities. If they fail to do so, the situation may go out of the control. I am urging the concerned authorities to consider the pains and sufferings of the people and also to take effective measures to resolve the artificial crisis of commodities and to keep the price within the people’s capacities.